Electric weigher



Sept. 18, 1951 G. M. PORTER 2,568,253

ELECTRIC WEIGHER Filed June 30, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 GLEN/V M PORTER INVEN TOR.

Sept. 18, 1951 G. M. PORTER ELECTRIC WEIGHER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June30, 1947 Uuummnll |1 Ii 617 o lh,

AO n@ fm www 62E/WV M PORTER 1N TOR.

1131 lIlIl Sept. 18, 1951 G, M PORTER 2,558,253

ELECTRIC WEIGHER Filed June 30, 1947 @Sheets-Sheet 3 www" l ze @LE/VN MPORTER INVEN TOR.

G. M. PORTER ELECTRIC WEIGHER Sep. 18, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June30, 1947 HHH INVENTOR.

Afro/@Mey Sept. 18, 1951 G. M. PORTER ELECTRIC WEIGHER 6 Sheets-Sheet-SFiled June 30, 1947 H [W 0 6/7 w/ 5 6 w e w 9 Y. m@ r s y w GLENN Mf90/@TER INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 18, 1951 ELECTRIC WEIGHER Glenn M. Porter, Riverside,Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, a

corporation of Delaware Application June 30, 1947, Serial No. 757,985

2 Claims.

rThis invention relatesA to Aautomatic: scales and is particularlyuseful in weighing bulkn products in loose form.

It is an object of the invention to. provide a novel automatic weigherwhich is adapted to receive a more or less lcontinuous stream of loosematerial from a conveyor vand weigh thisin equal lots so 'that theaggregate weight of all the ma-v terial passing through the weigher willbe recorded.

It is another object of the invention to prowill be made manifest in thefollowing descrip-V tion taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a right side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention with the cover Tor that side thereof removed, and illustratingthe visible parts positioned asY at `the conclusion of' one weighingVoperation and at the instantfoi commencing the next.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the left side of said weigher withthe .cover for that side removed and showing the visible parts aspositioned at the same instant mentioned in the description of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 'is Va, view similar 'to Fig. 1 :but with the visible partstherein positioned as-occursat afcertain instant just after apredetermined weight of material has. been delivered to the scales ofthe weigher andthe latter has been tripped thereby, to initiate 'adischarge -of said material.

Fig. -4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing Vthe visibie parts-positioned as occurs in the operation o'f the Weigher at the sameinstant mentioned'in the descrlptionof Fig. 3;

Fig. f5 is la'view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the visible parts ofthe weigher `positioned at a certain vinstant just :preceding the'conclusion loi a weighing operation.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 and illustrates the visible parts lasthey are `positioned at the same instant mentioned in the description ofFlg.`5.

2 Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1 7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 isa cross sectional view taken on the line l8 8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional viewl taken on the line B-SofFig. '1.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line I0--l0 of Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevational View of an adjustably mounted stopblock vas shown in smaller scale in Figs. 3 and 5.

Fig. 12 is a plan view ata reduced scaleof the weigher of the invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line I3--l3 of Fig.7.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken. on the line IIA-I4of Fig. '7'.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the in'- vention is showntherein as preferably embodied in lan automatic hulk weigher 2i). Thisincludes a frame 2| having two box-like side standards 22 and 23 whichhave bottom plates 24, inner plates 215. and 26 which are ofi-setinwardly at a level near their middleland each of which has a largecircular hole 21.

The box-.like structure of the standards 2,2 .and 23 is completed byfront` :and rear walls 218 and 29 and a, top wall 30 or a weigherhousing ,shell 3! which overlapv and are united with the bottom plates2.4 and inner Yplates 25 and 2B of the stand-l ards 22 and 23. l

Formed in the upper wall 30 and in an adjacent upper portion of the rearwall 2B, between the standards 22 and 23, is a material receivingopening 32. The upper edge of 4the' wall 29 between said standards isturned in to form a, delivery ledge 33. Another ledge 34, `spaceddownwardly therefrom and fixed at its yopposite ends to the plates 25and 26, is disposed downwardly from the ledge 3-3 yand adjacent theholes 21,. f

Cover plates 36 are removably secured to thel standards 22 and 2,3 tocover the outer-'faces of the latter. Pivoted at its upper edge upon theplates 25 and 215, and hanging downwardly to a level adjacent the highpoints of the holes 21. is a leveler 48. A similar leveler 4-I is,Ipivotally suspended in the same manner at its upper edge and is heldsloping outwardly by chains 42 so that its curved lower portion is'adjacent to and substantially conforms with the hole 2. f .v

The chains 42 connect to one of four spacers 4.3 which unite and holdthe plates 25 and 26 in rigidly spaced relation. Disposed in the spacebetween the latches 33 and -34 is a bridge plate 44 which is mounted, atvone edge, -upon a, shaft 45,

the latter journalling in suitable bearings in the plates 25 and 25. Atits opposite ends, the shaft 45 is provided with arms 5:5 and #11.

The standard 22 includes a channel member 50, ends of which are securedby welding to the housing walls 28 and 29. Formed in member 5i) are peekholes and 52. Fixed on the lower edge of the channe1 member 58 is aslotted guide plate 52. A bracket 53 also secured to said member and tothe wall 28, has mounted thereon a rubber cushion block 55. Spacedcushion blocks 55 and 56 are xed by bolts 51 to the outer surface of themember 50. Rotatably mounted inwardly from the member 50 on a, stud 58provided on said member is a cam roller 5S. Also extending inwardly fromthe member 50 is a spring stud 60. Mounted on the memberril to extendinwardly therefrom, is a stop lever stud 55.

Also mounted on the -4member 50 kand disposed inwardly therefrom is alever pin 86 on which pivotsa stop lever 51 having arms 88 and 89. Thearm 58 is adapted to engage the stud 55 to limit the downward movementof the arm B9. the latter having a roller pivotedly mounted thereon,near its end. Extending inwardly from the arm 69 is a pivot pin 1| and alimit pin 12. Pivotedly mounted on the pin 1| is a latch 13 whichnormally rests against the limit pin 12. This latch has a pin 14 towhich one end of a contractile coil spring 15, connects the other endconnecting to the spring stud 80.

Extending through the top wall and upper ange of the member 50 and intocontact with the arm 88 and the lever 61, is a manual trip rod 60 havingan upper stop collar 8| and a lower stop collar 82 and a spring B3coiled about the rod between the member 50 and the collar 82 toyieldably hold the rod in its'uppermost position.

Secured to the top wall 38 and the standard 22 is a perforated anglebracket 85 having a series of holes 85, any one of which may be used forthe purpose of attaching a spring 85 thereto. Pivn otedly connected tothe arm is a trip bar 81 having a pin 88't0 which the other end of thespring 88 is connected.

The bar 81 extends downwardly througha slot in the plate 52 which allowsthe bar 81 a slight degree 'of guided horizontal swinging movementparallel with `the member 50. The lower end of the bar 81 has a foot 88bentoutwardly therefrom which limits the upward movement of this bar inresponse to the action of the spring 86 and provides a substantialhorizontal area of contact between bar 81 and the rubber cushion 54 whenthe operation of the weigher requires this.

Fixed as by welding on the bar 81 is a withdrawal cam 90. The cam 90 isdisposed adjacent to the roller 59 so that downward movement of the bar81 shifts the latter to the left. Secured to the bar 81`by bolts 95 soas to be vertically ad- .instable thereon vis a stop lever trip 9E.

Secured at its opposite ends as by welding to the walls 28 and 29 in thestandard 23 is a channel member H0. This has a hole IH formed thereinand a pair of cushion stop blocks 55 and 56 adj'ustably secured theretoby bolts 51 and identical with the correspondingly numbered blocksprovided 'on channel member 50.

Mounted on member Hl is a trip control microswitch H3 having a switcharm H4 extending downwardly therefrom.V Also mounted on said member is asolenoid H5 having an armature H 6 which is connected by a stoutcontractile spring H1 to the arm 41.

Provided on the member Htl and extending inwardly therefrom is a pivotpin l i8 on which is pivoted a cam follower lever HS having a camfollowing arm |28 and a switch actuating arm |2I.

Mounted on the member H0 is a counterswitch |22 having a switch arm |23which is adaptable to be actuated by the arm IZI. The arm |2| isconnected by a spring |24 to a cotter pin |25 mounted in the lowerflange of the member H8 so as to normally hold this arm out of Contactwith the switch arm |23.

Formed integrally with and extending upwardly from the arm 61 is an arm|38 which is pivotedly connected to a piston rod |8| having a piston |32which slides in a dash pot cylinder |33 having an adjustable exhaustvalve |34 and an intake check valve |35.

Fixed on the channel members and l0 (see Fig, 13) are bearing pins |48carrying ball bearthe side walls are divided into ings HH whichpivotedly support side arms |42 of a U-shaped scale beam |43 which ismade up 0f these two arms and a cross bar |44 formed integral with andconnecting their outer ends.

The cross 'bar |84 carries a scale bar |45 on which is provided anadjustably mounted counter-balance weight |48 (see Fig. l2).

Mounted near the free ends of the scale beam side arms |42 are ballbearings |41 through which screws |48 extend to screw into threadedholes provided in opposite ends of a shaft |50 to rotatably mount saidshaft in said bearings.

Fixed on said shaft just within the member 50 is a spider |5|, thisspider having three lugs |52 extending radially therefrom. Fixed on theshaft |50 just within the member H0 is a triangular cam v| 53 havingthree high points |54. Also fixed on the shaft |58 just inside the cam|53, is a cushion drum |56 enclosing a rubber cushion |51 into whichthree pins |58 formed on said drum "1 extend at spaced intervals.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft |50 between the cushion drum |55 and thespider |5| is a scale rotorl |10 having a hub |1| and side walls |12 and|13 welded thereto. The space within weighing binsv |14 by curvedpartitions |15. f 1

Fixed to the rotor side wall |12, as by welding, is a plate having threepins |8| which extend into the rubber cushion |51 at spaced intervalsbetween the pins |58 of the drum |56. A torque cushion |82 is thusprovided between the shaft |50 and the rotor |10, the purpose of whichwill be pointed out hereinafter.

Operation ter-weight |46 is adjustably secured on the scalearm |45 so ast0 cause the weigher 20 to weigh and discharge a predetermined weightof, mate`v rial such as fteen or twenty pounds in each cycle ofoperation. Each such cycle involves` a 1/3 revolution of the rotor |10and startsand. ends with the various elements of the weigher' anaemiainto` theJl position inwhich itf shown Figs:

arrn- I II 4 isfalloweditobe loweredaf fliiedandTre'l-l atively shortdistance'below'fthefpositinirrwhicli" it isshown' in these=gures- Thevalve |34 is. alsoV adjusted to control the discharge of airfi'om`thecylinder" |33 through valve to. impose: a desire'ddegreefofzdampening effect on the response of the-shaft 45 tothe operation ofthe'solenoidr I I5.-

The purpose of the dash pot |33 is to prevent this. response from beingtoo rapid as will` be pointed? out: hereinafter.'

Assuming that" the Weigher is installedJ in a" citrus packing housei forthe weighing of oranges, the operatinof tlieweigher starts with adelivery of oranges over.. the ledge 33,.bridge Mandlledge 34 intotheupwardly disposedy bin |14. The curtains 40 and 4| act as baffles toslow up fruit which might on occasion bounce upwardly, and prevent theirbeing lost out of this bin.

When a predetermined weight of material which the counter-balance hasbeen set for, has been received, the scale beam |43 is rocked about thebearings |4| as the rotor |10 sinks under the weight of this fruit. Thislifts the scale beam |43 from the stop blocks 56 against the stop blocksas shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The sinking of the rotor |10 lowers the triangular cam |53 from itssupporting position beneath the switch arm ||4 thereby closing theswitch I I3 and energizing the solenoid |I5 which rapidly draws thearmature I I5 downwardly into the solenoid and extends the contractilespring |I1. The force thus applied through the spring |I1 to the arm 41,rotates the shaft 45 as fast as the dash pot |33 will permit (which isnot slowly, but fairly rapidly). The result of this rotation isillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and results also in the bridge plate 44being depressed as shown in broken lines in Fig. 8.

The latter action presents the ledge 34 as a barrier interrupting theflow of fruit across the bridge plate 44 and thereby preventing anoverloading of the bin |14 being used in the current weighing operation.Rotation of the shaft 45 also depresses the trip bar 81 until the foot89 at the lower end of this comes to rest on the cushion block 54. Thiscauses the cam 90 to shift the trip bar 81 away from the roller 59against which this cam rolls.

This movement of the trip bar 81 withdraws the trip 96 from over thestop lever arm 68 but not before it has rocked the lever 61 enough tolift the roller 10 and permit the overbalanced rotor |10 to rotate tobring the adjacent lug |52 underneath the roller 10 thereby assuring anunimpeded 1/3 revolution of the rotor |10 under the impulse of the loadof fruit contained in the upwardly disposed bin |14.

Rotation of the rotor brings this bin into downward position, as shownin Fig. 8, in which the fruit gravitates from this bin onto thereceiving conveyor disposed beneath the conveyor.

' ItLWilLbe-notedfthatifastliearotor |10-'Jstartsltcrotatesafterbeingoncei1freedg` the high .lpnint |54`V ofthefcam |53movesrawayifronrzunder'thesswitch armVV I I4 (seeliiglsdthattheswitchiII3 main-5 tains ther'electric circuit-ofthe solenoid Hiclosed until?the.- 1/3 `rotation .of thefarotor; |10- has .been completed,A` the:next: highi: pointr |54 of the .cam |53' has come directly.I under: the`switch` arm I 4 and the; lightening Yofiv thearotor;v |1 01. by thedischarger ofA fruit therefrom causesthe; counterweight I 46? tolover-balance the rotor, rock. the scalebeam: |43`-and;lift thelrot'onl10to thev same. level" it had. at thefY start ofthel weighing:opera'- tion.

Thepositionlof the .various'parts of the :Iweigl'r-- er asf the rotorapproaches completion.: of its r. 1/3

revolutionl aref illustrated inlligs. 5.and=6.f Their next succeedinglug; I 52 visxlhereshown. asf:` engagingthe" latch: 13? from'.underneath to r' swingI this uewardly; permitting. tl'iestopz-armv 61,-to' remain. horizontali wherel itt hel'd by y the spring'` 1 5i* as thislug: I 52 swingsnpastthelatch;1'3iiand'l against the stopiroller 10;`'whereupon the latch. 13 i drops behind this'lug as shown' in` Fig.`lrandi positivelyv retains: thev` spider' |51 against:` rotation.. The

cushion |822' takesluplthef shock of: this' sudden stopping. of"thelrotationr; ofi theshaft |501' and transmits ythisigentlyItotherotorI |105 Theresilience of the cushion |51, however, causes the rotor|10 to turn back to its normal relation with the shaft |50 after themomentum of the rotor has been absorbed by the cushion |82.

At about the same instant the rotation of the rotor is stopped at theend of its 1/3 revolution, the switch arm I I4 is lifted by the arrivalof the next successive high point therebeneath as shown in Fig. 14,thereby breaking the circuit of the solenoid I5 which releases thedownward pull on the spring |I1 and permits the spring B6 on the otherside of the machine to lift the trip bar 81 to bring the trip 96 aboveand in overlapping relation with the adjacent tip of the arm 68 (seeFigs. 1 and 10) and lift the bridge plate 44 to again permit fruit totravel across this plate and the ledge 34 into the uppermost rotor bin|14. Thus a second weighing operation starts immediately after the firstoperation is completed.

Successive weighing cycles by the weigher 2D are performed in exactlythe same manner as above described. During each weighing operation ahigh point |54 of the cam |53 engages the arm |20 of the cam responsivelever |9- to actuate the counter switch |22 and register a singleweighing operation. Thus all the weighing operations are automaticallyrecorded and the total of these may be read on the counter at the end ofa given run of fruit through the weigher. The number of loads thusregistered as having been weighed by the weigher 20, multiplied by theweight at which the counter-weight |46 is set on the scale bar |45, willgive the total weight of the fruit run through the weigher 20.

The claims are:

1. In an automatic bulk weigher, the combination of: a frame; a U-shapedscale beam including side arms and a connecting member; a counterbalance on said connecting member; fulcrum means on said frame forpivotally supporting said beam side arms; a vshaft pivotally supportedon the free ends of said side arms; a rotor rotatably supported on saidshaft; means forming a series of weighing bins in said rotor; a spiderxed on said shaft and providing a series of lugs corresponding in numberto said bins, and uniformly located with reference to said bins; a stoplever pivoted onsaid'frame; a rstop provided on said stop lever; a pinon said frame positioned to halt rotation of said stop lever with saidstop positioned in the path of said lugs; means for conveying a ilow ofloose product into one of said bins when upwardly disposed; a gate forshutting off or starting said flow; a trip adapted to engage and rocksaid lever to remove said stop from in front of one of said lugs; a camfor deflecting said trip out of engagement with said lever after saidtrip has displaced said stop as aforesaid; a spring biasing said leverto cause it to return against said pin when thus released from saidtrip; a solenoid adapted when energized to operate said gate to shut offthe ow of material to vsaid bin and actuate said trip to trip said stoplever as aforesaid; a switch controlling said solenoid jand actuated bythe swinging of said scale beam to energize said solenoid therebyshutting 01T said supply of loose material to said bin, releasing saidrotor from said stop and permitting the rotor to rotate to dump thecontents from said bin and present the next adjacent bin in an upwardposition for re'- ceiving material to be weighed and bringing'the nextadjacent lug on said spider into engagement with said stop, said switchmeans keeping said solenoid energized and said gate positioned to shut01T the ow of material until said switch said switch and into operativeengagement therewith to open said switch when said rotor has rotated tocomplete a single Weighing cycle thus permitting said scale beam to rockabout its axis and lifty said multilobed cam to engage said switch,andactuate said switch to open the same and de-energize said solenoid.

GLENN M. PORTER.

REFERENCES CITED Thek following references are of record in the le lofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 618,129 Outcalt et al Jan.24,1899 1,082,354 Mulloy Dec. 23, 1913 `1,615,485 Rees Jan. 25, 1927FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain July 26, 1892

